Play in Countershaft Gears

I think you're stuck with the wear. Yes it is sort of sloppy with the freewheelers, and the slider gears [in the shafts] are not as rocky. When removing a C-clip, the thrust side is the flat side of the clip. Installed with the round side, this might roll over the groove and pop out. Where the cut side digs into the groove for when the thrust occurs.

Rub both hands together to cause friction. Which stayed cold? Neither. So that mean equal wear at both touch points. New gear on an old freewheel collar is half the clearance taken up. Make sense?