fairly reliable and 9mm has come along way over the years as far as ammunition goes, so stopping power can be had with little recoil. Ultimately you should handle one and test fire as well as a couple other potentials. You may find something you like better. Its all about how the firearm fits and works for you personally. Good luck.

Save your money. Get a S&W Shield--------budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/82836/smith+%26+wesson+m%26p9+shield+7%2b1%2f8%2b1+9mm+31%22

No, unless you're a 5'5" and above @ 225 lbs and above and have worked on strengthening your hands a good bit. I don't mean to sound mean but as a employee at a gun shop it became obvious that a normal female with normal hands and are strength had trouble working the slide of the handgun plus typically what type of gun it is they couldn't hold up the weight of the gun. Guess I'll recant on the weight and height, if you have better strength in the arms to handle holding the gun up for longer than a minute and half, able to put the gun on target in seconds not min after the recoil you can handle it. I might suggest going to a range where they rent guns to shoot or borrow a friends to take with you and try it out is the only way you will know for sure.
But nothing slight to you and any female my typical response to one buying a gun from us was to have them try one (this is before the M&P EZ 9) which is a easier slide for the female gender oh ! and many men. Most of the time I sold them a pistol instead usually of the 38 type but just before I quit they had several 9mm in a pistol. Hope this helps and you understand I'm not putting a female down, or you boys... oops I mean men.

Bonnie, there were issues with the initial R51 which Remington has taken care of. That said, I purchased my wife a Ruger EC9s and she has been more than satisfied with shooting/carrying it. budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/52078/ruger+ec9s+9mm+312+black+7%2b1

9mm is a good caliber with low recoil. Stay safe and have a great day!

Yes. It is 9mm. With hollow points it will do well.