Dynamic compression tests on high manganese TRIP steel, pure copper, IF steel and armor steel were conducted on Hopkinson bar at the strain rate of 10³~10⁴ s^-1 to make comparisons of impact resistance and microstructural features. Results show that under dynamic compression, adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) do not occur easily on pure copper and IF steel. In addition, both pure copper and IF steel show a weak resistance to impact loading due to the poor work hardening capability. The ASB occurs quickly in armor steel containing martensite and the steel shows higher residual strength, which renders it suitable application in the condition of high speed deformation. TRIP steel consisting mainly of austenite has the highest work hardening rate and the α′-M induced by deformation can delay the ASBs formation and prevent the crack extension, manifesting that it is suitable for the use at high speed deformation. Elongated subgrains and low angle grain boundaries are found within the shear bands in pure copper and IF steel with weak microtextures, whereas the ASBs in both TRIP steel and armor steel demonstrate small equiaxed grains and high angle grain boundaries. Strong fcc shearing-type microtexture of {111}-{112}<110> and weak bcc shearing-type microtexture of {110}<111> are formed within ASBs of TRIP steel and armor steel respectively.