Cumberland Tactics

Cumberland Tactics is a mobile training school that has been teaching defensive firearms skills for nearly four decades. Randy Cain, the director and primary instructor, believes that fundamentals are the cornerstone of survival—and everything builds from there.

"There are no advanced techniques. The so-called 'advanced' shooter merely executes the basics a bit better and/or quicker."

Randy trained with the country's most recognized instructors, including the late Louis Awerbuck of Yavapai Firearms Academy. He spent eight years at Gunsite as a Rangemaster and Staff Instructor, including teaching in the Masters Series classes with Gunsite founder Jeff Cooper. His background includes service as a police patrol officer, SWAT team member, and training officer—experience that shapes every class he teaches.

Randy Cain teaches every class. There's no bait-and-switch with substitute instructors. You get his eye, his diagnosis of your shooting problems, and his coaching.

Class size is limited for real one-on-one instruction. The diverse student body includes doctors, lawyers, teachers, airline pilots, law enforcement officers, military personnel, business owners, and regular citizens who take their defensive training seriously.

Confidentiality is absolute. Cumberland Tactics doesn't accept credit cards, doesn't do online registration, and doesn't sell or share student contact lists. They understand that some students—public figures, high-profile individuals, or people working in gun-hostile environments—need privacy. That trust is honored.

Handgun course tuition: - 3-day courses: $650 - 2-day courses: $500

• •Carbine 1 (3 days, 600 rounds): Full spectrum fighting carbine—house clearing, entry techniques, mid-range field applications
• •Carbine 2 (3 days, 1,000 rounds): Fast-paced advanced carbine work. Prerequisites include YFA Tactical Rifle, Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle, or equivalent courses
• •Practical Rifle (3 days, 500 rounds): Bolt action and lever rifles with iron sights or low power scopes. Problems addressed from contact distance to 400 yards
• •Sniper/Countersniper (5 days, 500 match-grade rounds): Precision rifle including ballistics, camouflage, stalking, terrain analysis

• •Shotgun 1 (3 days): Anti-personnel focus. Tactical manipulation, patterning, deployment indoors and outdoors, sling work, ammunition selection
• •Shotgun 2 (3 days): Advanced combat shotgun under mental and physical stress. Team drills and tactical simulators

• •Shotgun ammo per course: 250 birdshot, 50-100 buckshot, 125-150 slugs, plus handgun rounds

Instructors across the industry recognize Randy's work. Here's what they say:

"Not only does Randy Cain know his subject matter, he has that rarest of rare qualities—the ability to impart his knowledge to students." — Louis Awerbuck, Yavapai Firearms Academy

"Randy Cain is an exceptional person and instructor. His classes are small, intense, and a whole lot of fun. Cain has an uncanny ability to properly diagnose shooter's problems." — Pat Rogers, EAG Tactical

"If you are in need of firearms training he is at the top of the list in my book." — Kyle Lamb, Thunder Ranch

A Miami-Dade Deputy Sheriff who trained with Randy for 23 years wrote: "He taught us about having a fighting/survival mindset, how to be aware of our surroundings, and to identify a potential threat before it even happens."

The process: 1. Select your course and check the schedule 2. Complete the application (downloadable MS Word or printed form) 3. Mail with $300 deposit (checks accepted—they don't take credit cards) 4. Gather required gear: holster/sling, magazines, ammo 5. Show up at 8:30am; classes typically end around 4pm

Most courses start at 8:30am and run full days. Private and semi-private courses can be custom-tailored to your specific needs.

"The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." — John Steinbeck

Cumberland Tactics teaches time-tested fundamentals evolved through actual armed confrontations, not the latest training fads. Every student—whether a complete beginner or someone with professional experience—walks away with better understanding and execution of the essentials: marksmanship, manipulation, tactics, and mindset.