Abstract: Directional control valve, in particular a hydraulic 3/2-way directional control valve, having an actuating unit (1) and a valve unit (2), which is operatively connected to the actuating unit and in which a valve element (9), displaceable by the actuating unit (1) and having a tappet (14), controls ducts (4, 5, 6) of the valve unit (2) carrying hydraulic pressure medium, the actuating unit (1) having at least one coil (21), a magnetic core (18), which is arranged at least partially inside the coil (21), is of cylindrical design and has an end-face limit (22), and a moveable armature (15) interacting electromagnetically with the magnetic core (18) and comprising an end face (16), the armature being operatively connected to the tappet (14), the internal dimensions of the magnetic core (18) being larger than the external dimensions of the armature (15) and the magnetic core (18) and the armature (15) being arranged, formed and aligned in conjunction with the length of the tappet (14) so that the end face (16) of