I am saying I think the new ones are too tight. The piston does not have any play on the rod.Make sure you lube it and run it. If a new one isn't tight compared to an old one there ain't much point. Feel is a bit subjective so I don't know how much you're going to learn.
This is my first engine rebuild so I am just trying to be cautious. I didn't want any bent or damaged rods. Thank you for the info, I appreciate it.I would call that normal then. The pins will be fairly tight until they have some run time in the engine.