1000 direct guns to cause harm (4)
I believe the answer is:
maim
'harm' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'1000 direct' is the wordplay.
'm000' becomes 'm' (roman numeral).
'direct' becomes 'aim' (synonyms).
'm'+'aim'='MAIM'
'guns to cause' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for maim that I've seen before include "Severely damage" , "Injure (a person), causing permanent disability" , "Disable, lame" , "seriously hurt!" , "Wound so that part of body is permanently damaged" .)