The　dynamic　behavior　of　sandwich　columns　with　aluminum　face-sheets　and　hexagonal　honeycomb　core　under　axial　low-velocity　impact　is　investigated　experimentally　and　theoretically.　In　the　impact　tests,　two　typical　competing　cases　of　deformation,　i.e.,　core　shear-curling　(CS-Cu)　and　local　denting-plastic　hinge　(LD-PH),　were　observed　following　the　first-order　or　higher-order　global　buckling.　The　deformation　process,　permanent　deformation,　cushioning　property,　energy　dissipation　efficiency,　and　factors　affecting　the　competition　of　CS-Cu　and　LD-PH　were　compared　and　discussed　in　detail.　It　is　found　that,　if　CS-Cu　occurs　instead　of　LD-PH,　an　axially　impacted　sandwich　column　may　perform　better　in　both　cushioning　and　efficiently　dissipating　residual　energy.　The　theoretical　analysis　is　carried　out　by　extending　the　existing　quasi-static　global　buckling　theory　of　sandwich　columns.　A　good　agreement　between　the　oscillatory　plateau　on　the　measured　force-time　curve　and　the　predicted　critical　plastic　global　buckling　load　is　found　for　the　strain　rate-insensitive　face-sheet　material.　Copyright　©　2021　by　ASME.