The AK-77 Feniks (Phoenix) was Azovka's first explicitly designed Main Battle Rifle. While many of Azovka's prior designs wound up being used as an assault rifle, the AK-77 was individually designed by Komarov using left over parts from the APV-21, ZKL-28, SV-51, and SVS-77. Keeping in line with the AK-47, It was named after Komarov as its primary designer, instead of the designed role.
The AK-77 also marked Azovka's commitment to the 8.47 x 77mm Warsaw round. With the SVS-77 picking up popularity for the round, the rifle was designated "Avtomat Komarov" (Assault Komarov), or AK-77.
This was also the first gun offered exclusively chambered of 8.47mm x 77mm Warsaw.
The AK-77 Feniks preformed well in independent tests, and was ordered by the Ukraine defense force, and Poland Special Forces teams.
Anywhere that had accepted the SVS-77 quickly adopted the AK-77 as well. A semi-automatic version, chambered for .300, was initially planned for release in the US, but was surprisingly blocked by the ATF, as it was revealed that the AR77 (AR standing for Assault Rifle), could easily be converted to full automatic.
Several Chinese companies licensed the AK-77, and produced the AK-77, chambered in everything from .300 winchester, to 7.62x39mm. When one tried to use the internals to create a bullpup design, Nikolai Komarov, in his ever increasing hatred for bullpups, quickly barred the license, barring the creation of a hypothetical AK-77 Bullpup.