An electromagnetic actuator is provided by an armature plunger which reciprocally shuttles between magnetic paths having common overlapping portions through the plunger. A magnetically permeable yoke directs the flux paths of a pair of coaxial coils. When either coil is energized, a first flux path is created around that coil through the plunger and a second flux path is created around both coils through the plunger. The first path pulls the plunger to close an axial magnetic air gap. The second path holds the plunger in place. The ratio of the permeances of the two paths is controlled such that one path always overpowers the other, to insure plunger movement in either direction.