The article presents characteristics of an upgraded rotary impact testing machine featuring a new measurement system based on strain gauges and enabling the recording of short signals. A dedicated test rig enabled the performance of dynamic tensile and bend tests within a linear velocity of a forcing element (striker/claw) restricted within the range of 5 m/s to 40 m/s. Tests involved TRIP and DP steels as well as alloys of non-ferrous metals PA4 and AZ31. Dynamic tensile tests were performed in relation to a striker linear velocity of 5 m/s, 15 m/s and 30 m/s. The results obtained in the above-named tests were compared with those obtained in static tensile tests. The dynamic tensile tests and structural examinations made it possible to identify correlations between strain rates, mechanical properties of the materials and the morphology of fractures. The testing methodology discussed in the article could constitute an effective tool enabling the assessment of properties of structural materials under dynamic strain conditions. The research-related test results could be used when designing the structure of energy-consuming elements of vehicles and load-bearing elements of aircraft exposed to dynamic loads.