About Cajun Arms
Meet the Team
Click an instructor to view their profile.
Nick
Our Mission Statement
At Cajun Arms, our mission is to provide exceptional firearms training and top-quality firearms sales, guided by professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to safety. We empower our students with real-world skills and confidence, while offering a curated selection of firearms and gear that meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Through a focus on customer service and value, we strive to create a welcoming, educational, trustworthy, and SAFE environment for all.
Jim Benoit
Owner & Lead Firearms Instructor
Jim Benoit is the owner of Cajun Arms and Tuscarora Tactical Training, the educational division of Cajun Arms, founded in 2011. He is an avid hunter, shooter, and outdoorsman.
The residents of Thornbury Township, Chester County, PA elected Benoit to the position of Township Supervisor and Township Police Commissioner. Jim’s interest in tactical firearms was a logical progression in his Israeli martial arts training. Jim teaches defensive pistol, rifle (all platforms) and shotgun. He also teaches target shooting and hunting marksmanship. He owns his own private range facility in central PA where he teaches. Jim conducts his classes at his range in Thompsontown, PA, Northern Chester County Sportsmen’s Club in Elverson, PA, and various local ranges. Jim volunteers at Northern Chester County Sportsmen's Club and serves as their Chief Range Safety Officer. He volunteers his time to NRA Women On Target and similar youth and senior citizens events.
Jim’s teaching style translates to all shooters (including beginners, men, women, and youth to experienced operators). Benoit is a student of the gun, and his lesson plans are always evolving as he seeks the latest methods and techniques to enhance his defensive classes. Jim firmly believes there is no one single method that is right for everyone. He wants his students to not only learn solid technique, but to understand why the technique is effective for that particular individual.
We are NRA Certified Instructors in Certified Advanced Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Home Firearms Safety and are Chief Certified Range Safety Officers. We are certified Instructors for DE, MD, and FL. We are fully insured.
Certifications
- Federal Firearms Licence
- NRA Certified Advanced Pistol Instructor
- NRA Rifle Instructor
- NRA Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
- NRA Home Firearms Safety Instructor
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- Delaware State Certified Concealed Carry Instructor
- Florida State Certified Instructor
- Maryland State Instructor
- ALICE Instructor (active shooter)
- USCCA Instructor
- PPCT LE Instructor
- IPTT Pistol, Rifle
- Glock, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armorer
Experience
- Army Marksmanship Training Fort Benning, GA 2007
- NRA Certified Advanced Instructor in Pistol, Defensive Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal
- Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Home Firearms Safety
- NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
- ALICE Instructor
- Haganah F.I.G.H.T. (fierce Israeli guerrilla hand to–hand), ongoing since 2010
- Israeli Bladed weapons, ongoing since 2010
- Defensive Pistol, Rifle Shotgun, various LE & private instruction
- Pistol/Rifle Training, Instructor Coaching, Paul Gomez
- Golani Trench Fighting, Active Shooter Response, Israeli Haganah, IPTT
- IPTT (Israeli Professional Tactical Training) Pistol, Rifle
- IPTT Handcuff, Haganah
- Combat Medic, 10 Minute Medic
- PPCT pressure points, handcuffing, baton, pepper spray Instructor
- Stop the Bleed
Our Happy Clients
- Upper Darby Police
- PA State Police
- WEGO Police
- West Chester SWAT
- West Vincent Police
- Brookhaven Police
- US Air Force 193rd Security Forces
- Pre and post deployment US Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force
Nick Benoit
Manager & Lead Firearms Instructor
Nick brings a fresh outlook and athleticism to our cadre of instructors at Cajun Arms. Certified as an instructor in 2020, Nick graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a BA in Criminal Justice and was a Division 1 lacrosse athlete. He continued playing lacrosse at Lander University, where he earned a Master’s in Emergency Management. A seasoned shooter since the age of 9, Nick's extensive background in firearms and martial arts enhances his teaching capabilities.
Nick holds a second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and has extensive experience with hand-to-hand combat and all three platforms of firearms. His conditioning and discipline in strength and speed training translate well to many of our students, making him a tremendous asset in our classes.
Experience
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Range Safety Officer
- 2nd degree Black Belt Tang So Du
- Extensive Israeli open hand training
- Successfully completed all classes at Cajun Arms at least once
- Stop the Bleed
Tom
Firearms Instructor
Tom brings an extremely practical methodology to the Cajun Arms cadre of instructors. With years of hands-on experience in both military and law enforcement, Tom blends his style perfectly for the civilian student.
While he has the patience and teaching skills to help the brand new shooter, he helps us out primarily with mid-level and advanced courses. He is a certified NRA Instructor and CRSO.
Kathryn
Firearms Instructor
Kathryn began her shooting journey five years ago and has since mastered every course offered by Cajun Arms. Her calm demeanor and keen attention to detail make her an excellent instructor, helping students quickly grasp essential techniques.
As one of our female instructors, Kathryn creates a welcoming environment, particularly for female students, easing any initial anxiety.
She is an NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor, a NRA Range Safety Officer, and has successfully met Cajun Arms' Instructor Certification Standards.
Experience
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
- NRA Range Safety Officer
George
Firearms Instructor
George has been a dedicated shooter for over five years. His journey with Cajun Arms began in 2020, and since then, he has successfully completed every course offered—many more than once.
George brings a meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to safety to every class he instructs.
As an NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor and a graduate of Cajun Arms' Instructor Certification Standards, George is well-equipped to guide students with precision and care.
Experience
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
Holly Allen
Range Safety Officer (RSO)
Holly Allen is an asset to the Cajun Arms training staff. She's been shooting for over 10 years & proficient with both rifles and pistols. Holly is an NRA Range Safety Officer and has been a student of Cajun arms in numerous classes including rifle, defensive carry, and low light pistol.
Her patience and pleasant demeanor make her an asset for classes geared towards entry level, novice, and new shooters but her experience as an RSO makes her capable of keeping a range safe and organized for all levels of shooters. As a bonus, Holly is a mother of 3 who daily carries so she brings an interesting perspective for those looking to both understand and get more involved with firearms.
Neal Kaufman
Range Safety Officer (RSO)
Neal recently earned his NRA Range Safety Officer Certification. He ensures that all safety protocols are observed and helps keep the class running smoothly. Neal trained as a student with Cajun Arms since 2013 and completed all of our classes at least once. He also shoots left handed and is a big help to our students that use their “wrong” hand!
