Pass shearer a pistol (7)

I believe the answer is:

handgun

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'a pistol' is the definition.
(I know that pistol can be written as handgun)

'pass shearer' is the wordplay.
'pass' becomes 'hand' (synonyms).
'shearer' becomes 'gun' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'hand'+'gun'='HANDGUN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for handgun that I've seen before include "Eg, pistol" , "Compact firearm" , "Revolver" , "Pistol, perhaps" , "weapon" .)

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

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