Team members producing weapons (8)
'weapons' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'team members' is the wordplay.
'team' becomes 'side' (I've seen this before).
'members' becomes 'arms' (arm is a kind of member).
'side'+'arms'='SIDEARMS'
'producing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sidearms that I've seen before include "We could kill" , "weapons" .)
But I've got no explanation for this one! Could you help me understand?
(Other definitions for needless that I've seen before include "Uncalled-for" , "Lessened, as not required" , "luxury" , "Unwanted" , "uncalled for" .)
(Another definition for side arms that I've seen is " Misreads about pistols, daggers and weapons worn thus".)