Crossword Genius

Gun put back outside first space for retreats (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nests

'for retreats' is the definition.
(nest is a kind of retreat)

'gun put back outside first space' is the wordplay.
'gun' becomes 'sten' (British sub-machine gun).
'put back' is a reversal indicator.
'outside' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'first space' becomes 's' (1st letter of 'space').
'sten' back-to-front is 'nets'.
'nets' going around 's' is 'NESTS'.

(Other definitions for nests that I've seen before include "Cosy secluded retreats" , "Bird houses" , "Sets of small tables that fit closely together" , "Structures for laying eggs" , "Lodges" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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