Something I noticed while playing Fallout New Vegas earlier is that the average Legionary is actually better equipped than the average NCR Trooper. Legionaries carry machetes and spears, yes, but a majority of them also have 10mm pistols and submachine guns, .357 pistols, cowboy repeaters, and so on. And that's just the Recruits. People say the NCR has "standardised" equipment like the Service Rifle but it isn't true. Troopers often only have 9mm pistols and submachine guns, or other low tier weapons, and only some have Service Rifles. It actually says in loading screen tips that NCR Troopers don't have standardised equipment and that their only strength is numbers. The Legion has the advantage in equipment and training.