As many of you note - a mall ninja collects the gear and talks too much the walk, but can't perform.
Gecko45 was so good at it because his selection of gear was so 2d rate, not because he used the latest-greatest. Unfortunately, the average suburbanite goldchainer (who hasn't got the correct mindset himself) now calls any milgear equipped user a mall ninja. They are in fact, the diametric and equal opposite. Fudds and mall ninjas are two sides of the same coin.
There is nothing wrong with using blue steel and wood, wearing brown leather, etc. Nor is there anything wrong shooting HAIII black anodized and synthetic wearing black cordura. If anything, the latter is far more durable and lasts longer while looking newer, through horrible conditions. One is for dress, the other for hard use. Anybody who's picked up an older gun used extensively knows how to describe it - "the valued patina of age," not "a rusty crapped out shooter." If you've done that, you know you were just glossing over the reality. Blue steel is for show, not go. Look in any armory.
Me, I started deer hunting with an HK91 and 1Gen Aimpoint in the '70's. It worked well when I did my job right scouting, and never gave me a complaint in the field - unlike my buddies, who burned the elevation reticle out of an expensive Redfield on a 8MM Magnum 700, or couldn't get their '94 Winchester to lever up more ammo without jamming. But it was a heavy sucker. I eventually sold it - and bought a 700 and a '94. Mine work just fine. I'm happy with them. The '94 has that valued patina of age. The 700 is stainless and synthetic. My boys use them, I'm really enjoying a cheap blackpowder rifle I picked up.
Point being - don't burn your bridges in the shooting sports, you hang around long enough, you might come full circle.