Charging aids pack and switches (7)
I believe the answer is:
ramrods
'charging aids' is the definition.
(ramrods help ram charges into a firearm)
'pack and switches' is the wordplay.
'pack' becomes 'ram' (synonyms).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'switches' becomes 'rods' (switch can mean a stick or rod cut from a tree).
'ram'+'rods'='RAMRODS'
(Another definition for ramrods that I've seen is " Gunners' tools".)
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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