I have noticed on my new Citica that the reel handle has some play in it.  Grabbing the reel handle, and pulling away and pushing towards the actual reel bpdy I can feel and see a very small amount of give in and out.  Just wondered if this is of course normal, or should I make the drive back to Cabelas

The tension knob is loose, when you tighten the tesnion knob the sideplay on the spool and handle disappears.

Yup

My handle does the same thing. I chalk it up to manufacturing tolerances.

That is the normal tolerance of the bushing in the crank shaft assembly

The in & out play on the crank shaft has nothing to do with the cast control setting. The crank shaft is connected to the set plate and the play is from the tolerance of the bushing that is employed on the base of it.

Tight Lines!!!

Thanks guys for the replies.  I figured it was normal but just wanted to make sure.