Mossberg 500/590 action tube versions?

[ABTOMAT]

Looking for a little guidance if anyone here really knows Mossberg action tubes. I've always read there are three versions: The one with the springs, the one with no dimples and a plastic ring, and the one with the dimples and no plastic ring. But I have a couple I scrounged up that are different and I'm trying to figure out if there's a better one to use on my 590 that I'm swapping foreends on. Both appear to be decades apart in age.

Tube 1: Blued, dimples on the rear end of the tube only, tight plastic ring on front nut.

Tube 2. Parkerized, dimples on the front end of the tube only, loose plastic ring on the front nut. Threads on the tube appear to be crimped down in two places.

Anyone know when these are from and if there's a "better" one?

 

[ABTOMAT]

Bump

 

[ABTOMAT]

Bump

 

[12Bravo20]

As far as the difference between a 500 tube and a 590 tube is how the barrel attaches. On the 500 the barrel lug sits on the end of the tube and on the 590 the barrel lug goes over the tube.

Top is a 500 and bottom a 590.

I can’t help much on identifying the changes made over the years. Hope the photo helps a little

 

[ABTOMAT]

Thanks, I'm talking about the sliding pump tube part. Those have been interchangeable from 500 to 590. I'll get some pics of mine soon in case it helps anyone.

 

[12Bravo20]

The only difference that I have dealt with is whether the pump has a single or double bar. My 500 from the early 80's and my new Shockwave both have the double bar. Sorry that I can't help much more than that.

 

[M-Forgery]

Wrap your head around this.
Courtesy of Hogue Grips.

 

[crestoncowboy]

The older 6 inch ones with the spring can have 2 brazed collars inside it for the spring. They also won't come off without unscrewing the mag tube from the receiver. You have to use heat to break the factory loc-tite loose.