Crossword Genius

Soldier picked up artillery weapon (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

regular

'soldier' is the definition.
(member of the regular army)

'picked up artillery weapon' is the wordplay.
'picked up' is a reversal indicator.
'artillery' becomes 'ra' (Royal Artillery).
'weapon' becomes 'luger' (I've seen this before).
'ra'+'luger'='raluger'
'raluger' backwards is 'REGULAR'.

(Other definitions for regular that I've seen before include "Full-time soldier" , "one often seen at the pub?" , "At set intervals" , "He is a constant patron of 16 Down" , "One present often" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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