I have a brand new Abu Garcia Black Max, and while I was feeling it, I noticed that when I pulled the handle outwards, the was a little bit of movement. Is this normal?

Sometimes. Most reels its not real tight, but just a bit of slack.

Could you please elaborate? Have you ever had the handle off the reel? If so, tighten the nut down.

No, I have never had the handle off the reel. What nut, and where can it be found?

The nut under the nut retainer on the handle of the reel.The retainer is the silver object in the center of the handle bearing the Abu Garcia crest, and the nut is found under it.

The play you are feeling most likely is the where the main shaft passes through the retainer that bolts it to the frame, they typically place a spacer or two to help shim it up. But in the less expensive reels they don't take a lot of time to get it right, they just add the shim and what you get is what you get.

If you have the know how just remove the retaining clip and add another thin washer, should remove the play you are feeling.