Big 5 Sporting Goods

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Heritage & History

Big 5 Sporting Goods is a western U.S. sporting goods chain operating over 400 stores across 11 states. Founded in 1955 in Los Angeles, California, the company has served as a value-oriented retailer for recreational athletes, casual hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts for nearly seven decades.

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The "Big 5" name originally referred to five founding partners. The company has evolved through multiple ownership changes and a 1992 IPO (NASDAQ: BGFV), but the value-oriented positioning has remained constant since the beginning.
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Key milestones:

1955 — Founded in Los Angeles during the post-WWII recreation boom
1960s-70s — Expanded throughout California; established value-oriented reputation
1980s — Entered Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington; added firearms departments
1992 — IPO on NASDAQ (BGFV)
2000s — Expanded to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska — 400+ stores
2020 — COVID-19: successfully argued firearms sales made stores "essential businesses"

Big 5's niche: serving smaller markets and suburban areas often overlooked by destination retailers like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's.

Shopping Guide

Big 5 stores are small-format (11,000-15,000 sq ft) — think neighborhood sporting goods, not big-box destination. Here's the realistic picture:

Aspect	What to Expect
Store size	11,000-15,000 sq ft (1/10th the size of Bass Pro)
Firearms focus	Entry-level, budget-friendly; varies heavily by state
Staff expertise	General retail associates, not firearms specialists
Pricing	Competitive on mainstream items; frequent sales/promotions
Selection depth	Adequate for basics; limited on specialty items
Online integration	Functional website; firearms require in-store pickup

Best reasons to shop Big 5:

Convenient neighborhood locations (strip malls, shopping centers)
Competitive ammo pricing when in stock
Good entry point for new shooters on a budget
Hunting licenses and basic accessories
Team Pricing program for youth sports organizations

What Big 5 isn't:

Not a destination for serious firearms enthusiasts
Not the place for specialty ammunition, high-end optics, or tactical gear
Not staffed with firearms experts (exceptions exist, but aren't the norm)

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Return policy: 60 days with receipt for most items. Firearms subject to federal regulations (no returns after transfer). Unused ammo in original packaging can be returned, but some states have additional restrictions.
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Firearms Department

Big 5's firearms selection emphasizes budget-friendly, entry-level options — but what's available depends heavily on which state you're in.

Inventory by state regulation:

State Type	What's Available	Examples
Permissive states (AZ, UT, ID, WY)	Full selection: handguns, rifles, shotguns, MSRs	Broadest inventory, closest to a gun shop experience
Moderate states (OR, WA, CO, NV)	Most firearms; some magazine/feature restrictions	Adjusted inventory for state-specific rules
Restrictive states (CA)	Rifles and shotguns only; no handguns at most locations	CA ammo background check required; limited accessories

Typical rifle inventory:

Type	Brands	Calibers	Price Range
Bolt-action hunting	Savage, Ruger, Remington	.308, .30-06, .243, .270	$300 - $600
Semi-auto	Varies by state	.223/5.56 where legal	$500 - $800
Rimfire	Ruger 10/22, Savage, Marlin	.22 LR	$150 - $350

Typical shotgun inventory:

Type	Brands	Gauge	Price Range
Pump-action	Mossberg 500/Maverick 88, Remington 870	12ga, 20ga	$200 - $500
Semi-auto	Stoeger, Weatherby	12ga, 20ga	$400 - $700

Ammunition:

Common calibers stocked: .22 LR, 9mm, .223/5.56, .308, 12ga, 20ga
Pricing competitive with big-box retailers
Availability is inconsistent — shortage periods hit Big 5 hard due to limited buying power vs. Bass Pro/Academy
Purchase limits enforced during high-demand periods

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Pro tip for Big 5 ammo shopping: Check weekday mornings for restocked shelves. Weekend hunters clean out popular calibers fast, and Big 5's smaller inventory buffer means popular rounds sell out quickly.
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Transfer services available at most locations with competitive fees — some gun buyers use Big 5 as an FFL transfer point for online purchases due to convenient locations.

Store Locations

Big 5 operates 400+ stores across 11 western states:

State	Store Count	Market Notes
California	150+	Largest market; restrictive firearms regs limit inventory
Arizona	30+	Full firearms selection; strong hunting/shooting culture
Washington	30+	Puget Sound + eastern WA; evolving state gun laws
Oregon	25+	Urban + rural markets; moderate regulations
Nevada	15+	Public land hunting; permissive firearms laws
Colorado	15+	Magazine capacity restrictions; mixed regulatory environment
Utah	10+	Strong outdoor culture; permissive firearms laws
Idaho	5+	Small but growing market; virtually no firearms restrictions
New Mexico	5+	Limited presence; hunting-oriented inventory
Wyoming	3+	Smallest market; hunting and outdoor recreation focus
Alaska	2-3	Most remote market; firearms important for subsistence

Store format: Strip mall and shopping center locations (not standalone buildings). Lower lease costs = lower prices, but also less visibility than Bass Pro/Cabela's destination stores.

Important notes:

Hours vary by location; firearms departments may close earlier than the store
Some locations have closed in recent years (lease expirations, market performance)
Urban California stores have the most restricted firearms offerings due to state law
Rural western stores typically have the broadest and most relevant firearms selection

References

Big 5 Sporting Goods official site: big5sportinggoods.com
SEC filings and annual reports (NASDAQ: BGFV)
Consumer reviews: Yelp, Reddit r/CAguns
Accurate Shooter forum discussions

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have you guys shopped at Big 5 for ammo or firearms - how do their prices and selection stack up against the local shops around Boise?

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