Pipe construction question.

That is the correct way to do the pipe cleaner test. But with a lot of the lower end to mid range pipes, they are not always drilled properly. If you bend the end of the pipe cleaner a bit and 'noodle' it around it might go down into the bowl.
If you buy lower to mid range this is just something you accept. I have a few pipes that I have to 'noodle' the pipe cleaner in to get into the bowl and it doesn't affect my smoking experience too much with these pipes. But as always YMMV.