I'm a little surprised your gunsmiths have never seen a bent ejector rod. I've seen them bent on Smith revolvers. Offhand I do not remember if I've seen any on Colts, but then, I have seen 100 Smiths for every Colt I've seen.

I think the point is that on older Colts {Army Special, Official Police, New Service} there is no shroud protecting the rod and they lack the front ejector rod lock that itself provides a bit of protection. The Colt rods are hardened to about a spring temper, and do give a bit if the cylinder is in battery and crane {yoke} is locked and pressure is applied to the rod from the side or pushing up toward the barrel.

All of them can bend if the gun is dropped while the cylinder is open. But in that case at least some crane damage is frequently a result, also.