Dick's Sporting Goods

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Heritage & History

Dick's Sporting Goods is the largest sporting goods retail chain in the United States, operating 850+ stores across 47 states (NYSE: DKS). Founded in 1948 by Dick Stack as a bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, New York, the company has grown into a dominant force in mainstream sporting goods retail.

:::callout
Dick's Sporting Goods made a historic business decision in 2018: after the Parkland shooting, the company removed assault-style rifles from all stores, raised the minimum purchase age to 21, and destroyed $5 million in inventory. This decision permanently altered their relationship with the firearms community and defined the company's trajectory.
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Key milestones:

1948 — Dick Stack opens a bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, NY (using $300 from his grandmother's cookie jar)
1958 — First full sporting goods store
1990s — Rapid expansion beyond New York; becomes regional chain
2002 — IPO on NYSE (DKS)
2013 — Stops selling modern sporting rifles after Sandy Hook (temporarily)
2016-17 — Field & Stream outdoor specialty stores launched
2018 — Permanently removes AR-style rifles; raises purchase age to 21; destroys $5M inventory
2019 — Begins removing firearms entirely from some stores
2020s — 850+ stores; shifted focus toward athletic/team sports; firearms phased out of most locations

Shopping Guide

Dick's is a mainstream athletic and sporting goods retailer — not a firearms destination. The firearms department is now a minor part of the business, absent from many locations entirely.

Aspect	What to Expect
Store size	50,000-80,000 sq ft
Primary focus	Athletic gear, apparel, footwear, team sports
Firearms	Available at ~60% of stores (declining); removed entirely in some markets
Restrictions	No AR-pattern rifles; no magazines over 10 rounds; age 21+ only
Pricing	MSRP or above on firearms; competitive on general sporting goods
Staff	Athletic retail associates; firearms knowledge is minimal

What Dick's does well:

Mainstream sporting goods (athletic equipment, team sports, apparel)
Golf Galaxy integration at select locations
ScoreCard rewards program with 2% back
Convenient suburban locations in major metro areas
Strong curbside pickup and online ordering

What Dick's doesn't do well (firearms):

Severely restricted firearms selection (no ARs, no 10+ round magazines)
Pricing is rarely competitive with dedicated firearms retailers
Staff expertise on firearms is generally poor
Many locations have eliminated firearms entirely
Not a serious option for most firearms buyers

:::callout
The firearms community's perspective: After the 2018 policy changes, most firearms enthusiasts actively avoid Dick's. The company has leaned into this — they've calculated that the mainstream sports market is more profitable than the firearms customer they lost. This is a business strategy, not an oversight.
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Firearms Department

Where firearms departments still exist, Dick's carries a limited, mainstream selection:

What's available (where firearms are still sold):

Category	Selection	Restrictions
Shotguns	Mossberg, Remington, Winchester	Standard hunting models only
Bolt-action rifles	Savage, Ruger, Remington	Hunting calibers; no tactical configurations
Handguns	Limited selection where state allows	Age 21+ only (company policy exceeds federal law)
Rimfire	Basic .22 LR rifles	Ruger 10/22, basic bolt-actions
NOT available	AR-pattern, semi-auto rifles	Permanently removed in 2018
NOT available	Magazines over 10 rounds	Company-wide policy

Ammunition:

Common hunting and target calibers stocked
No 5.56/.223 in stores that don't sell rifles chambered for it
Pricing is rarely the best deal — check Academy, Walmart, or online first
Purchase limits during shortage periods

Background check process:

Follows all federal and state requirements PLUS company's own additional restrictions
Minimum age 21 for ALL firearms purchases (federal minimum is 18 for long guns)
Some customers report overly cautious denial procedures

:::callout
Should you buy a firearm at Dick's? For most firearms buyers, the answer is no. The selection is limited, pricing isn't competitive, staff knowledge is minimal, and the company's corporate stance has alienated the firearms community. Other retailers offer better selection, pricing, and expertise.
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Store Locations

Dick's operates 850+ stores across 47 states — one of the largest retail footprints in sporting goods:

Market	Store Count	Notes
Northeast	200+	Home territory; highest density
Southeast	150+	Strong presence, competing with Academy
Midwest	150+	Competing with Dunham's, Scheels
West	100+	Smaller footprint than eastern US
South/Southwest	100+	Academy and Bass Pro dominate here
Other	100+	Expanding but slowing new store growth

Store formats:

Dick's Sporting Goods — Standard 50,000-80,000 sq ft stores
Golf Galaxy — Integrated into some Dick's locations
House of Sport — Experiential mega-stores with climbing walls, batting cages (newer concept)
Field & Stream — Discontinued; outdoor specialty format that didn't survive

Firearms department status by region:

Many urban/suburban locations have removed firearms entirely
Rural and hunting-oriented markets more likely to retain firearms departments
Trend is toward continued firearms reduction across the chain
Check online or call before visiting specifically for firearms

Important note: Dick's is an excellent general sporting goods retailer for athletic equipment, team sports, golf, and outdoor apparel. The company's firearms story is notable primarily for its departure from the market — not for what it currently offers gun buyers.

References

Dick's Sporting Goods official site: dickssportinggoods.com
SEC filings and annual reports (NYSE: DKS)
Business press coverage of 2018 firearms policy changes
Consumer reviews: general sporting goods + firearms communities

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

Join the Discussion

Have you bought firearms or ammo from Dick's, and if so, how does their inventory and pricing compare to your local gun shops or online options?

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