Three kinds of nitrogen steel of different structural state are tested under uniaxial shock conditions. The first kind of steel (A1) contains a maximum density of second phase particles - carbonitrides, nitrides and delta-ferrite. To provide stability of austenite structure, interval of allying in chrome, manganese, nitrogen and nickel for A2 and A3 steels has been narrowed. The dynamic strength characteristics of steels are shown to depend on the shock- induced structural transition. The highest dynamic strength is found for A3 steel where the structural transition has not been initiated.