Not always. Having the gear doesn't necessarily mean they have the skills.

I have played against newbies decked with high end electro markers such as Angels or a Timmy with Eggy or Halo hoppers on top and felt really intiminated when they showed how fast they could shoot the paint. But when the game were quickly eliminated from just about every game because they didn't have the skills necessary in the game. I will say they were good at using a lot of paint and painting bunkers.

Also, during the big game I helped ref recently there was a group of players playing with pumps which eliminated many people with fast electro markers.

I am planning a getting a pump to play with to force me to become a better snap shooter. I will mainly use the pump for rec ball but will still keep the autococker for the occasional speed ball tournament.

With skill being equal then equipment can make the difference between losing and winning and becomes an arms race of sort.