6 min read · Updated Apr 6, 2026
01 // OVERVIEW
Market presence and reach
02 // # BIG 5 SP
Big 5 Sporting Goods — # big 5 sporting goods
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.
03 // KEY TIMELI
Big 5 Sporting Goods — key timeline
| 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.
04 // WHAT YOU'R
Big 5 Sporting Goods — what you're walking into
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.
| 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 |
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.
05 // THE GUN CO
Big 5 Sporting Goods — the gun counter
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
06 // WHERE YOU'
Big 5 Sporting Goods — where you'll find them
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 |
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.
07 // SOURCES
Big 5 Sporting Goods — references
08 // THE BGC TA
Big 5 Sporting Goods — the bgc take
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.
09 // LOCATIONS
363 locations across 15 states
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