So I'm digging around further and here is what I found- When there is two chunks of steel in the calipers I can clearly see the pistons move out 1/8" and then back in about the same amount when the pedal is released.

This jarred a memory- Is there not suppose to be a residual check valve built into the master cylinder that leaves a pound or three of pressure in the lines for disc brakes? Or do I have it backwards, for drum brakes?