Oh, and the cost of turning a stock Series 70 GM into what's pictured above, about $850 in 1980s dollars.
$850 in 1984 is about equal to $2000 in 2014 (which is about what you'll soend to have an STI tuned up and ready to go). My point is that nothing has really changed. Guys were spending a lot on the benefits of better gear back then just like they do today.
I don't know if there were divisions when it all started, but now at least you're competing against guys who have spent roughly as much money as you. There's only so much you can spend on a Glock for Production Class or a 2011 for Limited Class before you get into greatly diminishing returns.
I'm sure there are guys who've spent $3K on a Glock. But the guy who spends $650 on a Glock isn't competing against them.
ETA-I drove to the Area4 Championshio this year with a guy who beat a GM and placed in the top 20% with a box stock M&P. 20% isn't amazing, but it shows that a $500 gun can be competitive.
