Crossword Genius

Holding note, regular shot to pieces staring down this? (3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gun barrel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'staring down this?' is the definition.
(as in 'staring down the barrel of a gun')

'holding note regular shot to pieces' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'note' could be 're' (as in do-re-mi) and 're' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gun barrel that I've seen before include "Stock attachment" , "Where a slug follows" , "place where rifling is common" , "a proverbially straight path?" , "Part of weapon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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