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

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

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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?