Brand Info
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Retailer
The 10/22 Stainless with folding stock — Ruger's most popular .22 rifle variant, known for aftermarket customization potential.
MyName (Firstinduty (talk)) (Public domain)
| Overview | |
|---|---|
Founded | 1955 |
Headquarters | El Segundo, CA |
| Tagline | Big 5 Sporting Goods is an American sporting goods retailer operating over 400 stores across the western United States. Founded in 1955 in Los Angeles, Big 5 sells firearms, ammunition, camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation equipment. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ. |
Products | |
| Key Products | Key Timeline, What You're Walking Into, The Gun Counter, Where You'll Find Them, The BGC Take |
Links | |
| www.big5sportinggoods.com | |
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Reference article
From The Boise Gun Club Handbook
Big 5 fills the gap between Dick's Sporting Goods dumping firearms and your local gun shop being twenty miles away -- they're the neighborhood option that's actually still in the gun business.
Big 5 Sporting Goods runs over 400 stores across 11 western states. Started in 1955 in Los Angeles when five guys pooled their money and figured out how to sell sporting goods cheap. Nearly seventy years later, they're still doing the same thing -- value-oriented gear for weekend warriors, casual hunters, and folks who need basic outdoor stuff without driving to Bass Pro.
The company went public in 1992 (NASDAQ: BGFV) and has been through the usual corporate ownership shuffle. What hasn't changed: they stick to smaller markets and strip mall locations where the big boys don't bother going.
Key Timelineedit
| Year | Milestone | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Five partners start up in LA | Post-war recreation boom |
| 1960s-70s | Spread across California | Built reputation for decent prices |
| 1980s | Hit AZ, NV, OR, WA | Added gun counters to stores |
| 1992 | IPO on NASDAQ (BGFV) | Corporate expansion phase |
| 2000s | Expanded to CO, UT, ID, WY, AK | Western states focus |
| 2020 | Argued "essential" status during COVID | Gun sales kept stores open |
Here's what they figured out: serve the smaller cities and suburbs that Bass Pro ignores. You're not driving two hours to Cabela's for a box of .30-06 and some boot laces.
What You're Walking Intoedit
Store Format and Layout
Big 5 stores run 11,000 to 15,000 square feet -- about one-tenth the size of a Bass Pro. Think neighborhood sporting goods, not destination shopping.
Typical Big 5 shopping experience and what to expect
| What to Expect | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Store layout | Strip mall format, maybe 4-5 aisles max |
| Staff knowledge | General retail folks, not firearms specialists |
| Gun selection | Entry-level stuff that moves; no custom work |
| Ammo availability | Hit or miss depending on shortages |
| Pricing | Competitive on basics, frequent sales |
Shopping Strategy
Reasons to shop there:
- Close to home in a shopping center you already hit
- Competitive ammo prices when they've got stock
- Good starter guns for new shooters on a budget
- Hunting licenses without the drive
- Team pricing for youth sports (their bread and butter)
What it's not:
- Not a gun shop with real expertise behind the counter
- Not the place for specialty ammo or high-end optics
- Not where serious shooters go for anything beyond basics
They do 60-day returns with receipt on most stuff. Guns follow federal rules -- no returns after transfer. Unused ammo in original packaging can come back, but check your state's rules first.
The Gun Counteredit
The bottom line: Big 5's firearms department is about getting basic guns to regular people at decent prices -- what you can actually buy depends on which state you're standing in.
State-by-State Variations
How state regulations determine Big 5's firearms inventory
| State Setup | What's There |
|---|---|
| Free states (AZ, UT, ID, WY) | Full selection: handguns, rifles, shotguns, ARs |
| Moderate (OR, WA, CO, NV) | Most guns with state-specific restrictions |
| California | Rifles and shotguns only at most locations |
Inventory Breakdown
Rifle inventory you'll see:
| Type | Usual Brands | Common Calibers | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt hunting rifles | Savage, Ruger, Remington | .308, .30-06, .243, .270 | $300–$600 |
| Semi-autos | Depends on state | .223/5.56 where legal | $500–$800 |
| Rimfire | Ruger 10/22, Savage, Marlin | .22 LR | $150–$350 |
Shotgun selection:
| Type | Brands | Gauge | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump guns | Mossberg 500/Maverick 88, Remington 870 | 12ga, 20ga | $200–$500 |
| Semi-autos | Stoeger, Weatherby | 12ga, 20ga | $400–$700 |
Ammunition and Transfers
Ammo situation: They stock the common stuff -- .22 LR, 9mm, .223, .308, 12 and 20 gauge. Pricing stays competitive with the big boxes when they have it. Problem is availability gets spotty during shortage periods because they don't have the buying power of Bass Pro or Academy.
If you're hunting ammo at Big 5, hit them weekday mornings after truck deliveries. Weekend hunters clean out popular calibers fast, and these stores don't have much buffer stock.
Most locations do FFL transfers at competitive rates. Some online gun buyers use them specifically because they're convenient -- easier than finding the local gun shop that's only open Tuesday through Thursday.
Where You'll Find Themedit
Geographic Distribution
Big 5 runs 400-plus stores across 11 western states:
| State | Store Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | 150+ | Biggest market, most restricted gun selection |
| Arizona | 30+ | Full firearms selection, strong hunting culture |
| Washington | 30+ | Urban and rural, evolving gun laws |
| Oregon | 25+ | Mixed markets, moderate restrictions |
| Nevada | 15+ | Public land hunting focus |
| Colorado | 15+ | Magazine restrictions apply |
| Utah | 10+ | Strong outdoor culture |
| Idaho | 5+ | Growing market, minimal gun restrictions |
| New Mexico | 5+ | Limited presence |
| Wyoming | 3+ | Smallest market, hunting-focused |
| Alaska | 2–3 | Most remote, subsistence needs |
| Market Type | Store Format | Gun Counter Hours | Typical Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| California urban | Strip mall, limited firearms | Closes early | Rifles/shotguns only |
| Western suburban | Shopping center, full selection | Store hours | Complete inventory |
| Rural markets | Standalone, hunting-focused | Extended seasons | Local calibers/gauges |
| Tourist areas | Mixed format | Variable | Basic recreational needs |
Store Locations and Hours
They stick to strip malls and shopping centers -- keeps the lease costs down, which keeps prices down. You won't see the giant standalone buildings like Cabela's builds.
Things to know: Store hours vary and gun counters sometimes close before the store does. Some locations have shut down in recent years when leases expired or sales dropped. California urban stores have the most restricted gun selection due to state law. Rural western stores typically stock what actually makes sense for the local hunting and shooting.
Referencesedit
- Big 5 Sporting Goods: big5sportinggoods.com
- SEC filings (NASDAQ: BGFV)
- r/CAguns discussions
- Accurate Shooter forums
The BGC Takeedit
Big 5 serves a specific purpose -- they're the convenient option when you need basic shooting stuff and don't want to drive across three counties to find it. Their gun selection won't impress anyone, but it covers what most recreational shooters actually buy.
The staff knowledge varies wildly by location. You might get someone who knows guns, but don't count on it. Do your research before you go and know what you want.
Where they shine: accessible locations, competitive pricing on common items, and they're still willing to sell guns when other sporting goods chains bailed out.
Where they don't: selection depth, expertise, and anything beyond mainstream needs.
For new gun owners on a budget or folks who need to grab ammo while running other errands, Big 5 fills a useful spot in the market. Just don't expect Bass Pro service at Dick's locations.
- Quail Creek Plantation(Okeechobee, FL)
- Val Verde Gun Club(Del Rio, TX)
- Boston Firearms(Everett, MA)
- 2aHawaii(Honolulu, HI)
Loading comments...