[Tom Servo]

Some people feel validated by simply having spent money on hardware. I've seen new shooters blow insane amounts of money on whiz-bang über tactical stuff only to be miserable because the hardware won't do the work for them. I've watched folks who buy hardware that's just good enough on a budget blossom into great shooters.

Does better (and more expensive) hardware help? Perhaps, when that person has reached a level in their shooting that they know their exact strengths and needs. Until then, they're dealing with a matter of diminishing returns at higher prices.

Heck, some folks simply feel superior because they've had to take out a second mortgage to pay for something. I generally avoid those people, as they tend to have other personality issues I find tedious.