A magnetic linear drive includes an elongated cylindrical armature which is supported for axial displacement in a guiding pipe made of a pressure-resistant material. Two axially spaced solenoid windings are mounted on the guiding pipe and are interconnected by a permanent magnet. The solenoid windings are provided with lateral magnetically conducting cores the ends of which communicate with annular grooves formed in the guiding tube. The grooves are filled with a magnetically conductive material forming the poles of the electromagnet. In the region of the poles, the armature is formed with control flanges of different depths which are acted upon by the magnetic flux to impart the axial movement to the armature. One end of the armature is formed with a measuring flange which cooperates with measuring coils mounted on the guiding pipe.