On: 8 Ways Journalists Can Access Academic Research for Free

[antegamisou]

May be field dependent but unfortunately the most likely outcome is the authors never getting back to you.

[hannob → antegamisou]

Not my experience, and I do this regularly. Scientists are often happy when people are interested in their research.

[dredmorbius → hannob]

Many authors I'm interested in are dead.

Asks are rarely answered.

[warrenm → antegamisou]

in this case, the article does suggest asking the journal for a free account - not directly to the authors (that's #6)