Yup, normal. The dots do not come together and rue the day they do for your rod will fly apart while casting. Some folks just absolutely hate the looks of those 'spigot' ferrules. Few who do though will admit it. Plain ugly in my opinion. Makes it look like it just isn't made right or assembled correctly. Orvis thinks they are beautiful. I prefer the tip-over-butt ferrules. Yes, some guys have sanded them down so they come almost together they hated them so much. Dangerous practice.