Hey guys has anyone made an Aluminum barrel for the 1/72nd. DORA rail gun? Also, what has happen to MMIR. The last issue was 53. Have they gone out of print? Thanks for any replies.

Hi Richard,

I can't help you with the Dora gun barrel, but I believe that Pat Stansell (the owner / publisher for MMiR) has posted over on Missing-Lynx that the next issue has been sent to the printers, or some such. (Seems like the next issue has always just been sent or is almost ready to send to the printers!)

As much as I like MMiR (even had an article published in it once), I've given up on trying to subscribe and now just pick up individual issues on the rare occasions that I come across them at one of the LHS's. And that's about to get even more "iffy." The proprietors of both shops (one independent and one national chain) have said that they're going to stop even trying to order MMiR and that one of their major hobby product distributor-wholesellers will stop carrying it because of the poor timeliness and spotty publishing schedule.

This is too bad, really. It's a hugely popular magazine and just about every armor modeler that I know buys it (or tries to subscribe to it). And just about everyone that I know who has tried to subscribe (including myself for many years) has given up (or is about to give up) their subscriptions in frustration.

I've never understood why the magazine has always had such a problem getting out on time, but over the last few years, this issue has become even worse (or maybe it's just getting more tiresome because it just never improves). Like I said, I think this is too bad, but the publisher already knows all of this (gosh knows there has been no shortage of complaints and threads like this over the years) and things just don't ever seem to get better for more than one or two issue.

At one time MMiR was very "cutting edge" and "topical" with its lists of new releases, etc, but nowadays, when you can find it, the "new" release info is pretty much overcome by events (OBE). So, the editorial bent needs some serious revamping in that regard. (This is a problem all of the "dead tree" modeling rags have, not just MMiR. The internet has pretty much made them useless for up-to-date industry news.)

FWIW, I think MMiR really should change its focus to in-depth build and technique articles and drop the pages and pages of "not new" release info. I really couldn't care less what were the last 10 or 15 Aber or Eduard PE sets released six months ago. Again, IMO, this applies to just about all of the hard-copy modeling mags. They all need to look hard at their content mix and drop the pages of "not news" releases. (Of course, this would probably have some detrimental impact on their advertising revenues, so sticking to the "traditional" format is the safe, conservative, and ultimately dead-end approach that they will all follow to their bitter ends...)

Anyways, I wouldn't expect the next issue of MMiR until you see it with your own eyes.

BTW: Your post subject, "Questions," is pretty cryptic. You might get some more info on your gun barrel search if you spelled out what you were looking for in the subject line. I only opened the thread up 'cause I'm just a naturally curious kind of guy. Could be that someone who can answer would chime in if they knew exactly what you needed info on.

Not trying to bust your chops or anything, just saying...

I agree whole hardheartedly. Those are some of the same reasons why I did not subscribe. I used to get the odd issue at my LHS but it has closed up so I look for it online now. Too bad it's so long between issues. Good advise on the title didn't think of that. I always struggle with titles. Don't want to be too long on the tooth, if you catch my meaning. Thanks again